Page 22 of Corrupting Lily
“Boss,” Matteo says, his eyes cautiously darting around the room.
“Take Lily to Alison while I have a word with Lucille. Only the best, and be ready in one hour.” Matteo nods and approaches Lily, gesturing toward the door.
“A word. Of course, Dom, anything for you.” Lucille smiles that sultry smile that reminds me of Basilio's whore. Trying too hard and being too obvious was a massive turn-off for me.
Lily narrows her eyes as she glances at Lucille, then at me, a fleeting emotion crossing her face. Jealousy. I nearly smile, but when Lucille places her hand on my arm, all thoughts of smiling disappear.
That is the last thing Lily sees before she leaves the office.
I step back, breaking the contact I had never allowed, and move around my desk.
“You have become too comfortable here. This is something I have allowed, but it needs to stop. It conveys a message that is false and will never be true.” While I had considered the possibility of entertaining an arranged marriage with this woman, at this moment, with Lily’s face flashing through my mind, I knew that would never happen.
Lucille's eyes widen, and she shakes her head as if that will allow my words to settle more clearly into her skull.
“What are you saying, Dom? I thought we were to be married. Father said you were on board with it. I thought that was a formality. We are clearly perfect for one another. And this match would unify our two families. Make you even more powerful.”
This makes me laugh.
“I don’t need your family for power. I create my own power, and the fact that you think otherwise just proves how incompatible we are. You are not the right person to stand beside me.”
I had never met anyone I considered my equal or who I visualized beside me—until now. And it wasn’t the woman before me. No. Itwas the little flower upstairs.
“If I am not the right person, then who is?” Lucille dares to ask, her arrogance and pride shining through.
I don’t bother answering. I don’t need to justify my choices to her.
“Wait. Wait.” Her hand shoots up, pointing to my office door.
“You were fine with everything until that little slut came along. Are you seriously implying that she would be a better fit by your side than I would? Me. Part of the family. With connections, money, and looks. Are you casting me aside for that?”
My fist slams against the wood of my desk, cracking the surface and making Lucille jump. I circle the table, stalking toward her as fury surges through me.
“Remember who you are talking to. I am not a man who turns the other cheek when an insult is hurled. While I abhor killing women, I will make an exception for you. My name is Dominico to you. Or Don. You should also remember my other name,Ange de la Mort.” Lucille, who has grown increasingly pale as I slowly approach her, drops to her knees, finally recognizing her danger. She starts sobbing, her hands gripping my ankles as she pleads for my forgiveness, apologizing for her behavior and begging me to spare her.
“Dante!” I shout, knowing he is nearby.
“I’m at your beck and call,” he says, strolling into my office just seconds later.
“Take Lucille to her room to pack. She will be leaving us and returning to her father. And if she dares to say anything negative about our family or anyone under my roof or my protection, you will fetch her from wherever she is and take her to the warehouse. Understand?” I say, locking eyes with Lucille as I speak the last word.
“Sure.” Dante's lighthearted mood disappears at the mention of the warehouse. That’s where bad things happened. Yet we had never senta woman there.
“I swear, Dominico, I would never say anything to tarnish the family name. Never.” Lucille is still on the ground pleading with me, her mascara-streaked face staring back at me as more tears fall from her eyes.
“Get out.” I turn away from her, freeing my legs from her grasp. She scrambles up and quickly moves toward the door.
Dante hovers, remaining in the office after Lucille has left.
“What?” I say, rounding my desk and surveying the damage I have caused.
“I’ll order you a new one then.”
I almost want to laugh at how absurd the situation is.
Lily thought she was powerless.
What she didn't realize was that she had the Don of the Mafia wrapped around her finger, making her the most powerful woman alive.
